Radiator



March 20, 1928. 1,663,301

M. s. HART. ET AL RADIATOR Filed Sept. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvENToRSNarwpl! ,Slffarf, .Mamrzce 6.554291%.

AWQRN y Patented Mar. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MAXWELL S. HART, OF NEW BRITAIN, AND MAURICE GAYLORD STEELE, OF HART-FORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNORS TO THE HART 8c HUTCHINSON COMPANY, OF- NEWBRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

RADIATOR.

Application filed September 3, 1926. Serial No.- 133,320.

This invention relates to heating and ventilating systems, and moreparticularly to an improved hollow radiator, utilizin a fluid heatingmedium such as steam or hot water for heating the 'air of dwellinghouses,

buildings, boats, or other structures.

One object of this invention is to provide a radiator of the abovenature comprising a pair of upper and lower headers connected by aplurality of vertical tubes adapted to contain the heating medium.

A further object of the invention is to provide a radiator ofthe abovenature in which the heat transmitting tubes are provided with inclinedradiatin fins, and in which the tubes are arranged in twoparallel rows.a

A further object is to provide a radiator of the above nature in whichthe casing is adapted to be installed'within the wall or floor of abuilding.

'A further object is to provide a radiator of the above nature whichwill be relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture,easy to install, and very efficient and durable in use.

With these and other objectsin view there have been illustrated on theaccompanying drawings several forms in which the invention may beconveniently embodied in practice.

Fig. 1 represents a front elevation, with parts broken away, of one formof radiator embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the same.

Fig. 3 is atop view of one form of heat radiating fin, shown mountedupon a single heat-transmitting tube, the latter being indicated insection.

Fig. 4. is a top view of another form-of radiating fin shown mountedupon a pair of hcat-transmitting tubes.

Figs. 5 and 6 are-perspective views respectively of two other modifiedforms of radiating fins, the former being corrugated in adirectionparallel to the air flow, while.

the latter is corrugated in a direction transverse to the air flow.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View showing a modified form of radiator inwhich the arrangement of the casing, fins, and headers has been reversedfrom that shown in Figs. 1 andv 2.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of another modified form of radiator inwhich the radiator stack is of uniform width and the fins decrease inwidth from top to bottom.

Fig.9 is a top view of a further modified form of radiating fin, havinga plurality of star shaped holes punched therein.

Fig. 10 is a top view of a still further modified form of radiating fin,saidfin being perforated throughout its surface.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals denotecorrespond mg parts throughout the several views, the radiator propercomprises an upper angle header 10 and a lower angle header 11, saidheaders preferably having a stepped angular construction and being invertical alinement, but it will be understood that such alinement is.not .a rigid requirement as the headers might be in an inclined positionor otherwise arranged withinthe spirit and scope of the invention. Theheaders 10 and 11. are connected by a plurality of tubes 12 and 13, saidtubes being preferably arranged vertically in two parallel stepped rowsone behind the other. The joints between the tubes 12 and 13 and headers10 and 11 are made tight in any suitable manner, as by soldering. Theupper header 10 has a depending enlarged rear end section 13, while thelower header 11 has an enlarged upstanding, forwardendv section 13", sothat the front row of tubes 12 will be located in a slightly higherposition from the rear row of tubes 13, in order to permit the radiatingfins to beinclined.

In order to increase the radiation of heat from'the tubes to thesurrounding air, provision is made of a plurality of upwardly andforwardly inclined radiating fins 14, said fins surrounding both rows ofheating tubes 12 and 13 and extending throughout the width of theradiator, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The fins 14 are preferablymechanically bonded tothe tubes by solder or its equivalent, but ifdesired, they may be held in position merely by friction.

The steam, hot water, or other heating 1 medium is adapted to enter theradiator through an inlet pipe 15 located behind the tubes 12 and 13,said pipe 15 leading to the upper header 10, while the s ent heatingmedium after passing down is rough both which supports the flanged top25 of the rows of tubes 12 and 13 is adapted to leave the radiator atthe bottom through an exit pipe 16. Both the inlet and outlet'pipes 15and 16 are preferably led away from an enclosing casin 24 through thefloor or wall, and said ra iator is preferably supported in properposition within said casing 24, as by brackets. not shown.

In order to direct the column of air, provision is made of a deflector17 having curved upper and lower portions 18 and 18 between which is aflat inclined surface 19 to deflect the rising air current forwardly.The upper portion of said casin 24 is provided with an upwardly bentfront flange deflector 17. WVhile the radiator will work satisfactorilyunder the natural circulation induced by the chimney effect of theheated air, an electric fan 28 may be employed in the base of the casingif desired in order to produce a forced draft. The front of the casingis closed by an ornamental sheetmetal plate 20, said plate having threeperforated sections 21, 22, and 23. The air to be heated is adapted topass into the radiator through the section 23 and the heated air isadapted to flow out of the radiator through the sections 21 and 22. Ifdesired, the sections 21, 22, and 23 may be left open.

The plate 20 has a rearwardly extending edge 27 ada ted to engage thewall of the room aroun the radiator cavity 28, said edge forming abeveled molding trim for the front of the radiator casing 24.

As will be clearly understood from Figs. 2 and 4, the vertical tubes 12and 13 are not located centrally within the fins, but the front tube 12is nearer the edge of the fin than is the rear tube 13, whichconstruction causes the upper portion of the fin to be hotter than thelower edge thereof.

In operation it will be understood that the cool air when approachingthe fins will first come in contact with the portion ofthe fins that ismost remote from the source of heat; i. e. the vertical tubes, and hencethe coolest portion of the fins. As the air passes along the fins in anupward oblique path, it comes in contact with the fin surface that growssuccessively. hotter as it approaches the point where the tubesintersect the fins. This condition is similar to that existing in otherforms of heat transfer devices where a cool medium is introduced at oneend of a lineal heat transfer path and a warm medium at the oppositeend. The cool medium thus first encounters the warm medium at the end ofits heat transfer travel when it is in its coolest condition, andconversely the-warm medium first encounters the cool medium at the endof its travel when it is in its warmest condition. By opposing thedirection of flow in this manner nown as counter current heat transfer),the temperature difierence between the two mediums will be as nearlyuniform as possible at all points of the path, and under this condition,it has been found that a greater heat transfer is obtained than wherethe cooland warm mediums travel in the same direction. Under the lattercondition, a wider temperature difference is obtained at the start and asmaller difference at the end of the path than under the former countercurrent flow condition.

It is a well known principle in heat engineering that the greatestefliciency in heat transfer occurs when the path of the air over theheated surface is such that the air most nearly approaches thetemperature of the heated surface just as it leaves the latter. In thepresent invention the radiator fin has been so designed as to form anair path that is of just the correct length to secure this condition,the width of the fin being relatively short. This design makes forlateral compactnessof the radiator. This construc tion enables'a highdegree of efficiency of heat transfer to be obtained with a minimumamount of radiator material. Moreover, as the path of the air while itis receiving the major portion of its heat is roughly the width of thefins, the radiator will be laterally extremely compact.

While the radiator tubes are herein shown as being, circular in section,it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to tubesof such a shape, but that said tubes may be constructed in any otherdesirable shape without departing from its scope. The same is also trueas regards the shape of the headers, it being understood that othershapes than that shown may be used if desired.

In assembling the radiator in the wall of a room, the rectangular casing24 with its onclosed deflector 17 will preferably be introduced into thespace between two vertical studs 29 and 30 of said wall and may befastened in position quickly and inexpensively by means of a few nailsdriven laterally into said studs. In some cases, it may be found moreconvenient to locate the radiator horizontally under the floor surface.in the space between a pair of floor joists, and such a constructionfalls within the purview of this invention.

In Figs. 3 and 4 two modified forms of radiating fins 31 and 32 areillustrated. in which the fin 31 is made only wide enough to embrace asingle tube as shown in Fig. 3, and the fin 32 embraces only a pair offront and rear tubes, as shown in Fig. 4. The direction of air flow isindicated in each of these figures by an arrow.

Figs. 5 and 6 two further modified forms of the radiator fins 33 and 34are disclosed. In both forms the radiating fins are corrugated. In theform of fin 33 shown in Fig. 5, the corrugations run parallel to thelULl direction of air flow, while in the fin 34 shown in Fig. 6, thecorrugations are transverse thereto. One advantage of the corrugatedconstruction of radiating fin is that the radiating surface ismaterially increased without increasing the overall dimensions of thefin. The transverse corrugations shown in Fig. 6 have the furtheradvantage that they tend to agitate the air passing over them, andthereby increase the rate of heat transfer from the fin to the air.Arrows indicate the direction of air flow.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of radiator construction is shown in which thedeflector 35 has a fiat rear surface 36 which is inclined rearwardly andupwardly, whereby a diverging vertical air column is provided. In thisform of radiator the same stepped angle shape headers 10 and 11 areemployed as used in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2,1

but the arran ement of said headers is reversed from he position shownin Fig. 2,

-whereby the radiating fins 14 will slope upwardly and inwardly from thefront to the rear, causing the air to circulate in the direction of thearrows, shown in Fig. 7.

As clearly shown on the drawing, the radiating unit is positioned in thedeflector 35 in such a manner that onl a narrow air passage 37 is leftby the ange 38 at the bottom of the front of the casing. A bafiie 39 isprovided in front of the top header 11 to restrict the size of the airoutlet at the top of the radiator. If desired, the height of the bafile39, the casing 24, and the deflector 35 may be increased to augment thestack effect and increase the rate of heat transfer. A still furthermodified form of the radi ator is illustrated in Fig. 8. In this formthe deflector has a vertical rear surface 41 and a diverging air columnis produced by providing a series of spaced inclined radiating fins 42which are successively longer from the bottom to the top, as clearlyshown in the drawing. By means of this construction substantially thesame even distribution of the air being heated is produced as in theform of radiator previously illustrated.

The. modified form of radiating fin 43 shown in Fig. 9 is provided withfourrircular tube holes 44, 45, 46, and 47 so that the fin 43 mayembrace four of the vertical heating tubes of the radiator. Threestarshaped apertures 48 and 49 and 50 are punched through the metal ofthe fin 43 in such a. manner that no metal is removed, but a pluralityof burrs or projecting protuberances are left which tend to agitate thepassing air and thereby increase the heat transfer. One of thestar-shaped. apertures will preferably be pushed up through the bottomof the fin while the other two are pushed downthrough the top of the finso that projections will be provided for agitating the air on both sidesthereof.

The modified form of radiating fin 51 shown in Fig. 10 is similar tothat shown in Fig. 9 in that it has the same exterior size and the samenumber of tube holes, but instead of having only three projectingpunchings, the 'entire surface of the fin 51 is provided withperforations 52, said perforations being made with a piercing punchwhich leaves projections. As in the previous modification, some of theprojections extend from one side of the radiating fin while the otherprojections extend from the other side thereof.

While there have been disclosed in this specification several forms inwhich the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that theseforms are shown for the purpose of, illustration only, and that theinvention is not to be limited to the specific disclosures but may bemodifiedand embodied in various other forms without departing from itsspirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications andembodiments coming within the scope of the following claims. 4

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new andfor which it is desired to secure Letters Patent is:

1. In an air-heating radiator, a plurality of tubes for containing afluid heating medium, 95 a pair of angle-shaped headers connecting theends of said tubes, means connected to one of said headers forintroducing said heating medium to the tubes, and means con nected tothe other of said headers-for withdrawin the spent medium from thetubes, said tu es being arranged in parallel rows.

2. In an air-heating'radiaton'a plurality of tubes for containing afluid heating medium, apair of angle-shaped headers con- 10? necting theends of said tubes, means connected to one of said headers forintroducing said heating medium to "the tubes, means connected to theother of said headers for withdrawing the spent medium from the 11"rows, and a casing enclosing said tubes and headers, said casing havingbafiies for controlling the flow of air being heated.

3. In an air-heating radiator, a plurality of upwardly extending tubesfor containing a heating medium, a pair of angle-shaped headers at theupper and lower ends of said tubes, means for introducing a heatingmedium to the upper header, means for with- 1 drawing the spent heatingmedium from the lower header, 4. In an air-heating radiator, apluralityof upwardly extending tubes for containing a heating medium, apair of angle shapcd 12 headers at the upper and lower ends of saidtubes, means for introducing a heating medium to the upper header, meansfor withdrawing the spent heating medium from the lower header, saidtubes being arranged in two parallel rows in stepped relationship, anddeflecting means for directing the inflowing current of air diagonallyaround said tubes.

5. In an air-heating radiator, a plurality of tubes for containing afluid beating medium, a pair of opposed stepped headers at the ends ofsaid tubes for introducing a heating medium into said tubes and withdrawing it therefrom, a deflector enclosing said headers and tubes, andan exterior casing for said deflector adapted to be received in a recessin the floor or wall of the room. 6. In an air-heating radiator, aplurality of tubes for containing a fluid heating medium, a pair of anle-shaped headers at the ends of said tubes or introducing andwithdrawing a heating medium from said tubes, a casing enclosing saidheaders and tubes, the front of said casing having openings to permitthe circulation of air.

7. In an air heating radiator, a plurality of tubes for containing afluid heating me-. dium, a pair of angle-shaped headers at the ends ofsaid tubes for introducing and with drawing a heating medium from saidtubes, a casing enclosing said headers and tubes, the front of saidcasing having an opening at the bottom for the entrance of air and anopening at the top for the exit of air.

8. In an air-heating radiator, a plurality of upwardly extending tubesfor containing a heating medium, a pair of angle-shaped headers at theupper and lower ends of said tubes, means for introducing a heatingmedium to the upper header, means for With drawing the spent heatingmedium from the lower header, said tubes being arranged in two parallelrows in stepped relationship, deflecting means for directing theinflowing current of air diagonally around said tubes, and a pluralityof inclined radiating fins suripunding said tubes andcontacting therewit9. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heating elementcomprising a plurality of tubes for containing the heating medium, aplurality of inclined radiating fins mounted in heat-conducting relationupon said tubes, said fins being eccentrically mounted with respect tothe entire group of tubes, and means for causing the cool incomingair tostrike the cooler portion of said fins first in order that said. airwill be heated by said fins upon the counter-current principle. j

10. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heating elementcomprising a plurallty of tubes. for containing the heating medium, anda plurality of inclined radiatmg fins mounted in heat-conductingrelation upon said tubes, the air intake sides of said fins extendingfurther from said tubes than the air outlet'sides thereof fllhereb themcommg a1r W111 be caused-. to-Jstrike the cooler portion of said finsfirst in order to be heated upon the counter-current principle.

11. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heatin elementcomprising a plurality of tubes or containing the heating medium, aplurality of inclined radiating fins mounted eccentrically inheat-conducting relation upon said tubes with respect to the entiregroup thereof, and means for causing the incoming air to strike theouter cooler portion-of said fins and tubes first in order that the airwill be heated upon the countercurrent principle.

12. In an air-heating radiator, a heating element comprising a pluralityof tubes for containing a heating medium, a plurality of finseccentrically mounted on said tubes and inclined with respect to theentire group thereof, a casing enclosing said fins and tubes to producea chimney draft effect, and means for. causing the incoming air tostrike the outer cooler portion of said tubes and fins in order that theheat diflerential between said fins and the air being heated should beas nearly constant as possible at all points along said fins.

13. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heating elementcomprising a group of tubes for containing a heating medium, a radiatingfin mounted in heat conducting relation upon said group of tubes, saidfin bein'g eccentrically positioned with respect to said group.

14. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heating elementcomprising a group of tubes for containing a heating medium, a radiatingfin mounted in heat conducting relation upon said group of tubes, oneside of said fin extending further from the center line of said groupthan the other side thereof.

15. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a heating elementcomprising a group of tubes for containing a heating medium, a radiatingfin mounted eccentrically upon 'said group of tubes in contacttherewith,

whereby the more remote extremities of said fin will be cooler than theextremities thereof which are closer to the center line of said group,whereby the air to be heated will strike said more remote coolerextremities and be heated on the counter-current principle.

16. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a plurality of tubesfor containing a heating medium, a heating element comprising a group ofradiating fins eccentrically mounted in heat conducting relation uponsaid tubes with respect to the center lineof said group of said tubes.

17. In a radiator for heating the air in a room, a plurality of tubesfor containing a heating medium, a heating element coma group ofradiating fins eccentri- 1,ees,so1

pally mounted in heat conducting relation tudinal ed es more remote fromthe group uponv saidgroup of tubes, each of said fins of tubes than theother longitudinal edge 10 enclosing a plurality of said tubes. Ithereof.

18. In a radiator for heating the air in a In testimony whereof, We haveaffixed our room, a heating element comprising a group signatures tothis specification. of tubes for containing a heating medium, a.rectangular radiating fin embracing all MAXWELL TS. HART. of said tubes,said fin having one of its longi- MAURICE GAYLORD STEELE.

